Novel Environmental Enrichment May Provide a Tool for Rapid Assessment of Animal Personality: A Case Study With Giant Pandas (<i>Ailuropoda melanoleuca</i>)

Powell, David; Svoke, Joseph T.

doi:10.1080/10888700802329673

Cited by 35 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…However, the influences of social hierarchy and personality should be further investigated. Our experiment showed that food enrichment may be useful for detecting exploratory behaviour, as suggested by Powell and Svoke (2008). We also showed that cat temperament and social hierarchy may interfere with exploratory motivation, which corroborated the findings of Ellis and Wells (2010).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Powell and Svoke (2008) also stated that feeding enrichment can allow detection of individual preferences. Ellis (2009) has articulated that cat temperament should be considered during the design of environmental enrichment; the experimenter should verify which techniques are best for active, passive, frustrated, and anxious animals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, we hypothesized an individual variation in the degree of interaction with the food. Importantly, some studies have demonstrated that factors like social hierarchy (Durr and Smith, 1997), sex (Hughes, 1968;Gray and Buffery, 1971) and temperament (Powell and Svoke, 2008;Ellis, 2009) could influence the exploratory behaviour of cats and other species. Thus, we considered these aspects in the present study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of feeding stimulus on exploratory behaviour of captive-housed domestic cats, Felis silvestris catus

Machado¹,

Genaro²

2015

Pubvet

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Many proposals for environmental enrichment are planned prioritizing the changes in feeding conditions of animals. This occurs because of the richness of sensory properties of food that motivates not only feeding behaviour and foraging as well as exploration. Exploratory behaviour has been considered as one of the possible indicators of animal welfare. However, in the specific case of domestic cats, the knowledge related to this behaviour is still incipient.Since cats are primary predators, it is expected that a food stimulus favors exploratory behaviour exhibition. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a food stimulus, in exploratory behaviour of captive-housed domestic cats. It was used a piece of meat hanging from a rope in the center MACHADO, J.C. e GENARO, G. Influence of feeding stimulus on exploratory behaviour of captive-housed domestic cats, Felis silvestris catus. PUBVET, Londrina, V. 7, N. 25, Ed. 248, Art. 1642, Suplemento 1, 2013 of the room where 42 adult cats lived together, and from this enrichment, behavioural observations were made. The results suggest that in the presence of the stimulus, not all animals exhibited exploratory behaviour, which is possible related to individual differences in the behaviour of cats. It was noted the possession of food resource by a few individuals, probably due to the dominance hierarchy of the social group. In conclusion, this study provides new information about the exploratory behaviour of domestic cats, contributing to the studies on environmental enrichment and welfare of these animals.Keywords: Environmental enrichment; felids; exploratory behaviour; food; animal welfare. Influência de um estímulo alimentar no comportamento exploratório de gatos domésticos, Felis silvestris catus em cativeiro ResumoGrande parte das propostas de enriquecimento ambiental tem sido planejada priorizando as modificações nas condições de alimentação dos animais. Isto ocorre devido à riqueza de propriedades sensoriais do recurso alimentar que motiva não só o comportamento de alimentação e forrageio como também a exploração. O comportamento exploratório tem sido considerado como um dos possíveis indicadores de bem-estar animal. Todavia, no caso específico dos gatos domésticos os conhecimentos relacionados com este comportamento ainda são incipientes. Já que gatos são predadores primários, é esperado que um estímulo alimentar favoreça a exibição da exploração. Assim, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos de um estímulo alimentar na exibição de comportamento exploratório dos gatos domésticos. Utilizou-se um pedaço de carne pendurado por uma corda no centro do recinto onde viviam 42 gatos domésticos adultos e a partir deste enriquecimento, observações comportamentais foram realizadas. Os resultados sugerem que na presença do referido estímulo nem todos os animais exibiram comportamento exploratório, o que se relaciona com diferenças individuais no comportamento destes MACHADO, J.C. e GENARO, G. Influence of feeding stimulus on exploratory behaviour...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Influence of feeding stimulus on exploratory behaviour of captive-housed domestic cats, Felis silvestris catus

Machado¹,

Genaro²

2015

Pubvet

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“…As demonstrated by this case study and as seen in other studies, reliability analyses of caretaker ratings often result in low reliability scores. This results in certain portions of the survey, entire animals, or entire observers being removed from the analysis (Highfill et al, 2010;Phillips & Peck, 2007;Powell & Svoke, 2008;Wielebnowski, 1999).…”

Section: Rating Methodology and Behavioral Plasticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Rating Methodology, Personality Axes, and Behavioral Plasticity: A Case Study in African Lions

Torgerson-White¹,

Bennett²

2014

ABC

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-Animal personality refers to individual differences in behavior that are consistent across time and across contexts. As it plays an ecological and evolutionary role for many animals by affecting fitness, it is likely to play a role in how both species and individuals fare in captivity. Assessment of animal personality by caretaker ratings has been validated using behavioral coding methods in a number of species and has thus become the most common method for assessing personality of captive animals. Whereas the reliability of rating methodology is arguable, the reality of working in a captive setting makes assessment of animal personality by caretaker ratings an easy and practical way to investigate questions related to personality. We used a case study in African lions to investigate the use of rating methodology to uncover personality traits. We then related dimensionality of those traits to fecal glucocorticoid metabolite values taken before, during, and after habitat renovation. The end goal was to devise a method by which individual welfare can be considered and improved by considering personality traits. Interobserver reliability scores revealed that only 11 out of 18 traits and four out of six lions were reliably rated. From those traits, we uncovered a sociability-neuroticism axis, whereby lions that were more social and less neurotic had lower glucocorticoid metabolite levels (GCM). In addition, we found that more vocal animals had higher GCM levels and more active animals had lower GCM levels, findings that suggest that vocalizing and activity level may be part of the way these individuals cope with stressors. These results suggest that a better understanding of a lion's sociability and neuroticism may inform management decisions during stressful times. Further investigation into the two lions who did not pass reliability testing, revealed that they had the lowest number of extreme trait ratings which suggests that they may have been the most behaviorally plastic, a characteristic that was not expressly measured by the surveys. The inability of rating methodology to measure plasticity and the role of the human-animal relationship in contributing to low reliability scores are discussed. We suggest that the most widely used personality surveys may work well for animals who exhibit low levels of plasticity and whose behavior falls closer to the extremes of a continuum, but may be less helpful for more plastic animals whose personality traits fall in the mid-range.

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“…In felids, providing secluded enclosures and ample hiding spaces for animals that rate higher on tense or fearful personality factors can improve breeding success, as was found with Cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus (Wielebnowski, 1999). Similarly, making species-specific changes in enclosures and husbandry to align with personality differences has been shown to benefit breeding in Giant pandas Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Powell & Svoke, 2008). Using measurements such as faecal corticosteroids and behavioural observations can establish parameters for well-being that facilitate improved reproductive success, as has been found in Clouded leopards Neofelis nebulosa (Wielebnowski et al, 2002).…”

Section: Behaviour Management and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 95%

Studying primate personality in zoos: implications for the management, welfare and conservation of great apes

Gartner

Weiss

2018

International Zoo Yearbook

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As we face the Anthropocene extinction, many species are threatened or becoming so, and great ape species are no exception (all are Endangered or Critically Endangered). As humans work to combat this trend, research on every aspect of the lives of animals is vital. One area of research that has the potential to be particularly useful is the study of personality. Zoological institutions offer a unique opportunity for research on personality in non-human primates, with knowledgeable staff, consistency in environment, accessibility of a variety of species and the possibility to have large sample sizes to provide generalizability. Here, we offer a perspective on how zoos have contributed to the personality literature, how the personality literature can aid animal management and how much further such research can continue, with implications for both welfare and conservation.

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Novel Environmental Enrichment May Provide a Tool for Rapid Assessment of Animal Personality: A Case Study With Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Cited by 35 publications

References 24 publications

Influence of feeding stimulus on exploratory behaviour of captive-housed domestic cats, Felis silvestris catus

Influence of feeding stimulus on exploratory behaviour of captive-housed domestic cats, Felis silvestris catus

Rating Methodology, Personality Axes, and Behavioral Plasticity: A Case Study in African Lions

Studying primate personality in zoos: implications for the management, welfare and conservation of great apes

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